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Podcasts Take Two
California Finds UC System ‘Unfairly’ Admitted 64 Well-Connected Students, How CA’s Shift to Vote-by-mail Could Affect Latino and Asian American Voters, The Pressure Is on to Reopen Disney
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Sep 22, 2020
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California Finds UC System ‘Unfairly’ Admitted 64 Well-Connected Students, How CA’s Shift to Vote-by-mail Could Affect Latino and Asian American Voters, The Pressure Is on to Reopen Disney

A new report details the admissions practices at the UCs, what Latino and Asian American voters face to cast their ballots and the pressure is on to reopen Disney.

BERKELEY, CA - APRIL 23: UC Berkeley students walk through Sproul Plaza on the UC Berkeley campus April 23, 2012 in Berkeley, California. According to reports, half of all recent college graduates are finding themselves underemployed or jobless and the prospects for new graduates dim in a weak labor market. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
BERKELEY, CA - APRIL 23: UC Berkeley students walk through Sproul Plaza on the UC Berkeley campus April 23, 2012 in Berkeley, California. According to reports, half of all recent college graduates are finding themselves underemployed or jobless and the prospects for new graduates dim in a weak labor market. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
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UC Admissions Report

A state report on the University of California system found that during the previous five school years … 64 students were admitted through inappropriate channels. Those channels include students’ connections to staffers or large donors, typically their parents … and students being admitted through athletic programs despite showing little athletic ability in those sports. If this sounds like the admissions scandal that rocked college campuses nationwide last year … including at USC … you’re not far off.

Guest:

  • Margarita Fernández, chief of public affairs for the California state auditor and author of report

Census Update

An update on what's happening with the census: Last week's court order to keep the count going, big hearing Tuesday, starting the homeless count in LA Tuesday.

Guest: 

  • Caroline Champlin, KPCC Reporter 

How California’s Shift to Vote-by-mail Could Affect Latino and Asian American Voters

All signs suggest that California’s voter turnout will be high in November. That’s because 21 million people (83% of the eligible electorate) are now registered to vote. And as the country continues to battle the coronavirus pandemic, the goal is to now get every registered voter a ballot in the mail. But, some studies indicate that despite high registration numbers- Latinos and Asian Americans will still need special outreach when it’s time to actually cast their ballots.

Guests:

  • Mindy Romero, the founder and director of the Center for Inclusive Democracy at USC’s Sol Price School of Public Policy
  • Dulce Rojas, campaign coordinator for Voto Latino
  • Daniel Jeon, voting rights attorney at Asian Americans Advancing Justice LA

Coronavirus: Luxe Rodeo Drive Hotel Closes Down

The high-end Luxe Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills has closed due to financial troubles caused by the coronavirus shutdowns, according to recent reports. We discuss the potential upcoming "tsunami"of hotel closures due to Covid-19.

Guest:

  • Heather Rozman, executive director of the Hotel Association of Los Angeles

Sizzler Declares Bankruptcy

Sizzler joins other national restaurants facing financial difficulties, like California Pizza Kitchen. It's not completely over for Sizzler and its 107 locations, though. The kind of bankruptcy it's filing – Chapter 11 – means it's trying to reorganize its debts. Plus … locations are still open for take-out. Have more than a dollar ready for that steak, though – nowadays, a New York Strip costs about a crisp 20.

Pressure Is On to Reopen Disney

Orange County is now at the Moderate -- or Orange level -- on the state color-coded COVID 19 watch list. That means, some non-essential businesses are open with modifications. But one business that employs thousands of people and brings big revenue dollars to the area remains closed: Disneyland. Today the Walt Disney Company put pressure on Governor Newsom to allow theme parks to reopen.

Guest:

  • Mike Roe, arts and entertainment reporter for our website LAist